TRW’s Electric Park Brake technology gains momentum in NA market with awards from two major OEMs

18 April 2012

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has been awarded new business for its next-generation Electric Park Brake (EPB) technology with two major North American based vehicle manufacturers. The EPB system functions as a conventional hydraulic brake for standard service brake applications, and as an electric brake for parking and emergency braking. TRW expects the penetration rate for vehicles sold in North America with EPB to approach 10% by 2015.

TRW EPB. Click to enlarge.

TRW launched the first integrated caliper EPB system in 2001 and is bringing the wide range of functional and ancillary benefits of EPB to the North American market with the launch of EPB expected in the 2013 model year. The new systems will feature TRW’s next-generation technology including its Gen 5 Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

TRW EPB technology goes well beyond the simple functionality of holding a vehicle in a stopped position; because it is based on electronics it can be integrated with other vehicle systems. For example, the EPB can work with a vehicle’s Electronic Stability Control system in emergency stop situations to enable full four-wheel anti-lock functionality enhancing safety in an emergency braking situation.

Our fifth generation EPB ECU utilizes a dual microcontroller safety architecture with an application-specific integrated circuit. The memory size is scalable up to 1MB with the option of incorporating (external) customer software modules. For greater packaging and performance flexibility there is an option to integrate longitudinal, lateral and yaw rate sensors within the ECU. Our latest ECU is compliant with the ISO 26262 safety standard and puts TRW in an excellent position to meet future requirements. TRW also offers an integrated EPBi system where control of the unit is integrated into the Slip Control system, and we can also work with slip control systems from other companies to offer this integration function to vehicle manufacturers.

—Seth Ravndal, chief engineer for EPB systems in North America

The EPB system, utilizing electrical cables and a control switch instead of a typical foot pedal or hand lever, simplifies routing and allows for greater freedom of design for vehicle interiors. Its smaller package can significantly reduce weight when compared to conventional park brake systems. For example, in a larger SUV/pickup popular in the North American market, an EPB system can save as much as 16 pounds versus a Drum-in-Hat rear park brake system. Furthermore, for the OEM, the assembly of the EPB system into the vehicle is much simpler and the robustness of the system can result in fewer warranty complaints.